(1R,2S)-2-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)cyclopropanamine (2R,3R)-2,3-butanedioate emerges from the intersection of organic chemistry’s precision and the ongoing quest to refine pharmaceutical building blocks. This compound contains a cyclopropanamine structure substituted with a difluorophenyl group, paired in salt form with (2R,3R)-2,3-butanedioate. Each part of the molecule plays a role in its chemical identity, from the cyclopropane ring’s three-membered tension to the aromatic stability introduced by the difluorophenyl group. Chemists draw on these features to drive reactivity and enable downstream applications, often focusing on this type of molecule as a raw material in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) synthesis or as part of research in medicinal chemistry. Molecular structure defines nearly every practical property, and understanding this connection offers a real advantage when handling, processing, or storing materials in a laboratory or industrial setting.
Looking at the core, (1R,2S)-2-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)cyclopropanamine itself contains a three-carbon cyclopropane ring, an amine group (NH2), and a difluorinated phenyl ring at the 2-position. The salt form uses (2R,3R)-2,3-butanedioate, a derivative of malic acid where the two chiral centers offer specific stereochemistry, key for controlling biological and chemical properties. These combined give a precise and complex molecular formula, usually written as C13H14F2N·C4H4O4, and a calculated molecular weight in the range of 363-365 g/mol, depending on the hydrated state. This unique combination of rings, fluorine atoms, and charged groups affects solubility in water or organic solvents, melting point, and ease of crystallization.
Understanding how a material behaves starts with observing its physical properties. (1R,2S)-2-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)cyclopropanamine (2R,3R)-2,3-butanedioate stands out in the lab as a solid, generally appearing as off-white to pale yellow flakes, powders, or small crystalline solid granules. In some batches, you might see a crystalline powder with a fine, grainy texture that clings to surfaces and withstands moderate humidity without deliquescing. As a solid, it resists forming stable solutions in water at room temperature but dissolves more readily in slightly acidic or polar organic solvents like methanol, ethanol, or dimethyl sulfoxide. The melting point for this combination of salt and amine usually falls between 120°C and 140°C, although purity, hydration, and crystalline form change these figures. Density averages around 1.35 g/cm3 at 20°C, giving clues to shelf life, safe storage, and measuring methods. Unlike some finer organic powders, this compound rarely forms dust clouds in normal handling, so routine procedures like transferring, weighing, and bottling run smoothly, which speaks to its manageable risk profile. On close inspection, the crystals sometimes reflect light with a muted sheen, typical of many fine pharmaceutical intermediates.
Global trade and import-export controls sort chemicals into categories using the Harmonized System (HS) code. For modified amines and carboxylic acid salts like this one, customs often assign codes such as 2921.30 (for amine derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons) or local, more specific designations as countries define their hazard classes and paperwork requirements. Procuring this material for laboratory, pilot-scale, or industrial use usually means navigating safety data sheets, safety certificates, and compliance documentation—these rules guard users, transporters, and the environment from accidental release or hazardous contact. Authorities request detailed molecular descriptions and sometimes require full disclosure on the intended application, particularly for complex organic intermediates often investigated for pharmacological activity.
Anyone who spends time working with organic chemicals picks up a habit of checking the safety data sheet before opening new material. Experience with similar fluorinated aromatic amines shows that regular direct contact with skin or inhalation of powder can irritate sensitive workers. Some analogues trigger allergic reactions, and as with many amine-containing molecules, the compound may cause eye watering and respiratory sensitivity if handled in dusty, unventilated settings. Industry experience proves gloves, safety glasses, and dust masks prevent nearly every reported incident. This compound does not exhibit self-igniting behavior but will release irritating fumes if heated well above normal working temperatures. Spillage on benchtops tends to stay put rather than running or wicking, which helps cut cleanup risk and avoids cross-contamination. Waste and unused material should end up in containers for organic solid disposal, not in municipal or drain waste streams. Risk of widespread harm remains low at typical research scale, but bulk handlers and production teams need to maintain established chemical hygiene, periodic safety reviews, and material documentation to avoid unwanted exposure or violations of good practice.
Pipeline development teams and research chemists target compounds containing fluorinated rings and chiral cyclopropanes because these fragments bring unique advantages in metabolic stability, selective binding, and reduction of off-target effects. Raw material ability to yield high purity (1R,2S)-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropanamine makes or breaks reaction efficiency, whether for downstream ligation work in small-molecule synthesis or for API salt formation. Real-world handling experience, especially in pharmaceutical plants, always highlights the value of physical consistency, batch transparency, and traceable quality certification. Too many years working in process scale-up have shown the headaches caused by inconsistent batch forms—clumping powders, overdried pearls, or flakes that stubbornly resist dissolution in solvent—each brings production lines to a crawl. Reliable suppliers learn to tune particle size distribution, moisture content, and bulk density, using regular physical inspection and modern analytical methods. As demand for specialized raw materials deepens alongside new drug candidates and custom synthesis orders, handling, documentation, and regular quality reviews gain new urgency. Data-driven storage, real-time moisture and impurity monitoring, plus robust staff training, add resilience to supply chains handling high-value advanced intermediates like this one.
Lab managers and chemical procurement teams looking for the best ways to handle, store, and utilize this compound can start by insisting on updated safety protocols, clear labeling, and open communication with suppliers about any change in delivery format or crystal habit. Up-to-date training, real ventilation verification, and secondary containment make up the everyday foundation for safe chemical work, especially for teams juggling several advanced intermediates. Switching to pre-portioned, sealed containers, instead of working out of large drums, slashes cross-contamination and reduces open-air exposure risks. Talking with suppliers about offering certificates of analysis, trace impurity profiles, and physically consistent batches pays off during scale-up or project handover. Collaboration with local hazardous waste handlers and regular safety audits close the loop, ensuring compounds with potentially harmful effects do no damage beyond their intended use. Individuals and teams can respond to changing regulatory guidance, keeping on top of HS code updates and restrictions to prevent shipment delays and legal complications.
